Philippine Comics at the Fair: A Tale of Many Pages

Katrina F. Olan is the best-selling Pinay sci-fi author, a komiks and webtoon creator, and an Associate Creative Director. She writes about robots, romance and revenge.

Her works have been featured at literary events such as the Philippine Book Festival, Manila International Book Fair, Frankfurt Book Fair, London Book Fair, Aarhus Art Bubble Tegneserie Festival, Southeast Asian Literary Circle Festival, Philippine International Comics Festival, Singapore Comic Con, Angoulême International Comics Festival, and San Diego Comic Con.

Tablay – her best-selling novel — is one of the most loved Filipino science fiction titles. It is also being adapted into a graphic novel, with a successful preview issue debut. Her other works include Makina, Skies Above, and Our Next Seven Weeks. She is also the writer of Sagittarius with Whilce Portacio, Apl de Ap, Kajo Baldisimo and Toon City Manila.

When not writing books, she leads advertising campaigns at an award-winning agency, crafting integrated marketing communication plans for top brands. She specializes in marketing tech, energy, and vehicles, and also writes scripts for commercials on TV, Radio and Digital. Katrina has represented the country at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2018 and was the first-ever Filipino student of the Google Creative Campus in Silicon Valley.

She hopes to inspire more women to write science fiction, and uplift the Philippine creative economy. She loves pop culture, travel, D&D, and hopes to pilot a mecha in her lifetime.

Bambi Eloriaga-Amago is a Philippines-based comic book writer and children’s book author. Her graphic novel “Doobiedoo Asks” is an Official Selection of the first-ever Philippine International Comics Festival, a Finalist at the 39th National Book Awards, and a Readers’ Choice Award Recipient at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards. While her children’s book is entitled “Too Loud! Soothing Sensory Overload With Music.” Both books are nominees for the 2025 International Board on Books for Young People’s Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities. Bambi also currently acts as Managing Editor for Seven Seas Entertainment, a USA-based publisher. Her books will soon have German and Turkish editions.

Mike Alcazaren is a freelance director/writer/ideator with 30 years experience in advertising, film, television, and digital media. He began his career heading the award-winning animation group Alcazaren Bros. in 1989. The group specialized in stop-motion, the first in Southeast Asia, then shifted to live-action directing (advertisements) in 1995 and continues till the present, creating content for different media platforms (concept & direction). In between advertising jobs, he has written three screenplays, one of which, “Prisoner Alpha”, won First Place in the the 2007 Carlos Palanca Awards. Alcazaren has directed two films “Puti” (2013), an art-house thriller and the documentary (co-director/2022) “11,103,” about survivors of human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship. The film was recognized as the Best Documentary at the 46th Gawad Urian Awards. “Patay Kung Patay” is his first venture into the comic book scene in collaboration with writer and artist Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo. The comic book series has recently been translated into an English compilation book, “Death Be Damned,” which won a 2023 National Book Award for Best English Graphic Novel. He is completing another documentary entitled, “Children of the War,” which follows the stories of survivors of the Battle of Manila 1945 where an estimated 100,000 civilians perished from both the Japanese atrocities and the American advance to liberate the city.

CJ Reynaldo is a deaf freelance artist who is passionate about creating comics and storybooks that foster empathy and understanding toward the deaf community. Through his art, he communicates, expresses, and captivates audiences in ways that go beyond words. A proud member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), CJ earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communication from the University of the Philippines where he graduated cum laude. His thesis was recognized as Best Thesis in the Publishing Category. When he’s not illustrating, he enjoys crocheting, baking, and playing Mobile Legends.

Ardie Aquino is a Filipino komiks creator and illustrator known for crafting engaging and innovative stories since 2011. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of storytelling, Ardie has published numerous works that experiment with format, presentation, and narrative techniques.

Among his most recognized titles is School Run, a suspense-adventure comic following a group of students navigating a zombie-infested city. He also created Balik Tanaw, a deeply personal work exploring memory and nostalgia. His groundbreaking comic Nandito Lang Ako uses tracing paper to enhance its narrative, while Ang Manguulam blends Filipino cuisine with elements of Pinoy mythology, further showcasing his ability to merge cultural storytelling with thrilling narratives.

Ardie’s dedication to the medium has led to significant achievements, including being selected as a co-exhibitor for the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, a milestone that highlights his growing international presence. He has also participated in major local and international events, such as the Philippine International Comics Festival and Komikon Grande, where he continues to engage with readers and fellow creators.

With over a decade in the industry, Ardie remains committed to crafting compelling stories that captivate audiences. Whether through heart-pounding adventures, introspective narratives, or experimental formats, his work continues to redefine the komiks landscape.

PAOLO HERRAS is the Co-Founder of Komiket, a non-profit organisation that advocates for Filipino comics, and the Festival Director of the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF). His graphic novel, Strange Natives (German edition: Strange Natives – Die vergessenen Erinnerungen einer vergesslichen alten Dame, Dantes Verlag 2024), was a National Book Award Finalist and is currently translated in German, French, and Italian. Paolo directed the film adaptation of his graphic novel, Buhay Habangbuhay (Life Afterlife), for the 2nd CineFilipino Film Festival.